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MAJOR-GENERAL  AMBROSE  EVERETT  BURNSIDE 


PERSONAL  NARRATIVES 

OF  EVENTS  IN  THE 

War  of  the  Rebellion, 

BEING  PAPERS  READ  BEFORE  THE 

RHODE  ISLAND  SOLDIERS  AND  SAILORS 
HISTORICAL  SOCIETY,. 


Seventh  Series.- No.  8. 


providrnck: 
publishbd  by  the  society. 

1914. 


8NOW  A  ?AKNHAM  CO.,  PRINTERS. 


LIEUTENANT  DANIEL  R.  BALLOU 


The  Military  Services 

OF 

Maj. -Gen.  Ambrose  Everett  Burnside 

IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR, 

And  their  Value  as  an  Asset  of  his  Country 
and  its  History. 


BY 

DANIEL  R.  BALLOU, 

[Late  Second  Lieutenant  Twelfth  Regiment  Rhode  IsUnd  Volunteer 
Infantry.] 


PROVIDENCE ; 

PUBLI3H80  BY  THB  SOCIBTY. 
1914. 


[Edition  limited  to  two  hundred  and  fifty  copies.] 


THE  MILITARY  SERVICES 

OF 

MAJ.-GEN.  AMBROSE  EVERETT  BURNSIDE 

IN  THE  CIVIL  WAR, 

And  their  Value  as  an  Asset  of  his  Country  and  its  History 


By  DANIEL  R.  BALLOU, 

[Late  Second  Lieutenant  Twelfth  Regiment  Rhode  Island 
Volunteer  Infantry.] 


It  is  a  universally  acknowledged  fact  that  some 
of  the  leaders  of  the  Civil  War  have  not  been,  even 
at  this  late  day,  accorded  the  meed  of  credit  to  which 
they  are  justly  entitled  for  the  services  they  rendered 
their  country  in  the  days  of  its  great  peril  ;  and  it 
is  also  true  that  there  were  other  leaders  w^hose 
sei* vices  have  either  been  ignored  or  belittled  amid  a 
blare  of  unfair  criticism,  of  ridicule  and  puerile  de- 
traction, largely  incited  by  sensational  muck-rakers, 
the  most  despicable  of  the  entire  brood  of  literary 


6 


THE   MILITARY   SERVICES  OF 


scavengers  that  infest  the  intellectual  life  of  the 
American  people,  who  neither  love  man  nor  fear 
God. 

General  Burnside  is  one  of  those  Avho  has  suffered 
greatly  in  reputation  as  a  soldier,  both  during  his 
lifetime  and  since  his  death,  from  these  sources,  and 
by  no  means  less  through  biographies  and  other  pub- 
lications emanating  from  the  pens  of  military  officers 
who  served  in  the  Civil  War,  either  under  or 
over  him.  Experience  has  proved  beyond  reasonable 
doubt,  that  narratives  of  battles  or  military  cam- 
paigns of  which  militaiy  officers  are  the  authors, 
and  who  figure  in  the  stories,  should  be  accej>ted, 
regarding  criticisms  of  either  their  superior  or  asso- 
ciate officers,  as  authoritative,  only  after  the  most 
impartial  and  careful  scrutiny,  that  serious  injury 
may  not  be  done  to  others  through  prejudice,  per- 
sonal grievances,  jealousy  or  other  evil  passions. 

It  is  with  a  sense  of  sincere  pride,  together  with  a 
profound  personal  respect  and  admiration,  that  the 
name  of  Major-General  Ambrose  Everett  Burnside  is 
referred  to  as  one  of  those  leaders  whose  military 
services  have  not  received  that  degree  of  fair  and 


MAJOR-GENERAL   AMBROfc^E  EVERETT  BURNSIDE. 


just  recognition  to  which  their  value  to  Iiis  country 
entitles  them. 

His  is  a  name — and  contradiction  is  confidently 
challenged  to  the  contrai  y — that  stands  for  all  that 
is  best  in  American  manhood.  His  nobly  generous 
character  was  the  embodiment  of  all  that  is  su- 
perbly manful  and  chivalrous,  and  which  survives, 
together  with  the  memory  of  his  military  achieve- 
ments,— a  living  rebuke  to  minds  rendered  incapable 
through  superficial  judgment,  prejudice  and  traffick- 
ing in  sensationalism,  of  penetrating  the  mass  of 
idle  gossip,  of  derisive  criticism,  of  irresponsible 
charges  and  malicious  detraction,  of  probing  for  and 
bringing  to  the  surface  the  truth  as  it  actually  exists. 

The  fighters  of  battles  fought,  the  self-appointed 
critics,  the  perverters  of  history  and  the  sensation- 
mongers,  have  been  too  preoccupied  in  their  efforts 
to  expose  weak  places  in  his  military  armor,  or  to 
spy  out  grounds,  no  matter  how  superficial,  that 
might  be  made  to  belittle  his  services  or  subject  his 
personality  to  derision  or  ridicule,  to  discover  the 
high  value  of  his  military  services  in  the  Civil  War 
as  an  asset  of  the  country  and  its  history. 


8 


THE   AIILITAUY   SERVICES  OF 


It  is  not  the  purpose  of  the  writer  to  exalt  General 
Burnside  as  a  genius  in  the  art  of  war.  He  made 
no  such  claim  for  himself  ;  neither  do  his  friends  for 
liim.  Neither  shall  I  attempt  to  apologize  for  any 
mistakes  or  failures  for  which  he  may  have  been 
responsible.  Mistakes  and  failures  have  been  the 
lot,  during  all  time,  of  the  greatest  military  captains 
in  the  world's  history,  as  it  was  of  the  most  exalted 
of  his  compatriots  in  arms. 

It  w^as  the  irony  of  fate  that  Napoleon  failed  at 
Moscow,  at  Leipsic,  and  tinally  at  Waterloo,  where 
his  star  of  destiny  was  forever  extinguished;  but 
these  defeats  did  not  diminish  the  splendors  of  his 
genius  nor  detract  from  his  military  greatnass. 

The  assault  on  Marye's  Heights  failed;  yet  Lee 
made  as  great  a  failure  when  he  hurled  Pickett's 
fifteen  thousand  Virginians  against  the  steel-girt 
slopes  of  Cemetery  Ridge;  and  Grant  committed  no 
less  an  one  when  he  gave  the  order  that  sent  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  into  the  jaws  of  hell  at  Cold 
Harbor.  But  now,  no  one  thinks  of  detracting  from 
or  depreciating  either  the  services,  character  or  rep- 
utation of  Generals  Grant  or  Lee. 


MAJOIl-GEXiiiKAL  AMBLiOS^K   E'/ERETT  D'uIiNSIDE.  9 


It  is  not  intended,  either,  to  shrink  from  defending 
the  memory  of  General  Burnside  regarding  mistakes 
or  failures  for  Avhieh  he  assumed  responsibility,  not 
altogether  his  own,  under  stress  of  an  intensely  pa- 
triotic sense  of  duty,  that  moved  him  to  self-sacrifice 
rather  than  imperil  the  cause  of  his  country  by  add- 
ing to  the  then  existing  dissensions  in  the  army 
through  any  attempt  of  his  own  to  seek  redress  for 
wrongs  from  which  he  had  suffered.  There  is  the 
true  ring  of  a  great  soul,  as  well  as  a  pathos,  in 
General  Burnside's  reply  to  the  importunities  of  his 
closest  friends  in  the  army,  who  were  familiar  with 
his  wrongs,  to  personally  defend  himself  after  he 
had  been  viciously  arraigned  regarding  the  Fred- 
ericksburg Campaign. 

^'Time  and  history,''  he  declared,  ^Svill  vindicate 
me:  and  if  they  fail  to  do  so,  it  is  better  that 
I  should  remain  under  a  cloud,  than  that  a  word 
should  be  added  to  the  dissensions  already  too  prev- 
alent in  the  army." 

So  persistent  have  been  and  are  now  his  detrac- 
tors in  their  arraignments  regarding  both  his  mili- 
tary services  and  his  personality,  that  a  very  con- 


10 


THE   MILITARY   SERVICES  OF 


sideiahle  number  of  the  general  public  have  become 
greatly  prejudiced,  having  been  insidiously  led  to 
believe  that  he  Avas  not  only  in  a  large  measure  in- 
competent as  a  military  leader,  but  that  his  military 
career  was  a  failure;  and  thus  the  valuable  services 
be  rendeied  his  country  during  the  period  of  its 
great  ])eril  are  being  ignored  or  belittled  amid  un- 
reasonable criticisms  and  scandalous  detractions. 

Obviously  the  time  lias  arrived  when  the  country- 
men of  General  l>urnside  who  knew  him  best,  and 
are  familiar  with  the  value  of  his  services,  can  no 
longer  keep  silent. 

For  these  reasons  the  writer  is  moved  to  take  upon 
himself  tlie  task,  as  a  work  of  love  as  well  as  of 
duty,  of  presenting  the  claims  of  General  Burnside's 
military  services  for  a  fair  and  just  recognition,  al- 
though it  is  candidly  confessed  that  there  are  many 
among  the  liosts  of  his  surviving  friends  and  ad- 
mi]  ers  who  are  far  better  qualified  for  the  work  than 
himself,  if  they  could  be  prevailed  upon  to  assume  it. 
The  most  that  it  is  expected  to  accomplish  by  this 
])oor  endeavor  is  to  blaze  the  w^ay  for  others  to  fol- 
low, and  clear  up  the  perplexing  tangle  of  truth 
and  falsehood. 


MAJOK-GKNERAL  AMBROSE  EVERETT  lUIRNSIDE.  H 


No  a  1  tempt  will  be  made  to  amilyze  the  military 
caiupaijjjns  or  movements  in  which  General  Burnside 
took  a  subordinate  part,  or  which  were  executed 
under  his  immediate  direction  during  the  Civil  War; 
but  only  in  a  general  way  to  refer  to  them  and  point 
out  the  value  of  his  services,  taking  into  account 
the  entire  field  of  his  military  career;  the  sole  end 
and  purpose  being  that  the  truth  may  be  made  to 
appear,  so  that  the  true  value  of  (xeneral  Burn- 
side's  military  services  during  the  period  of  the 
Civil  War  as  an  asset  of  his  country  and  of  its 
history  may  be  fairly  and  justly  estimated  and 
shown. 

The  statement  is  made,  without  fear  of  challenge 
from  fair-minded,  truth-loving  men,  that  General 
Burnside  rendered  inestimable  military  services  in 
the  field  during  the  Civil  War,  manifesting  on  many 
occasions  a  versatilit}^  of  initiative  in  both  suggest- 
ing and  framing  plans  for  military  campaigns, 
original,  brilliant  and  practical  in  conception,  some 
of  which  w^ere  later  adopted  and  carried  into  execu- 
tion either  by  himself,  or  by  others  of  his  compa- 
triots in  arms,  to  the  honor  and  glory  of  the  armies 


12 


THE  MILITARY  SERVICES  OP 


of  the  Union,  but  for  which  clue  credit  has  not  been 
awarded  him. 

On  Monday,  April  15,  1861,  Ambrose  Everett 
Burnside  received  in  the  New  York  office  of  the 
Illinois  Central  Railroad  the  following  telegram 
from  War  Governor  William  Sprague: 

"A  regiment  of  Rhode  Island  trooi)s  will  go  to 
Washington  this  week.  How  soon  can  you  come  on 
and  take  command?" 

He  x)romptly  answered,  "At  once." 

Colonel  Burnside  reached  Washington  but  a  few 
days  after  Fort  Sumter  was  fired  on,  in  command  of 
the  First  Regiment  Rhode  Island  Detached  Militia, 
a  battalion  of  which  reached  Washington  shortly 
before  the  main  body,  being  the  first  fully  uniformed, 
armed  and  equipped  troops  to  report  to  the  Com- 
mander-in-Chief, w^hich  was  accomplished  through 
the  personal  efforts  of  both  Governor  Sprague  and 
himself. 

He  hastened,  on  reaching  Washington,  to  call  on 
General  McDowell,  advising  delay  in  making  the 
proposed  advance  on  the  forces  of  Secession,  then 
concentrating  in  Virginia,  urging  that  the  Union 


MAJOR-GENERAL  AMBROSE  EVERETT  BURNSIDE.  13 


troops  which  were  hurrying  to  Washington  but  par- 
tially uniformed,  undisciplined  and  indifferently 
armed  and  equipped,  were  not  in  fit  condition  for 
the  contemplated  movement  against  the  enemy.  He 
was  looked  upon  with  suspicion  of  his  loyalty  by  the 
politicians  who  were  present.  It  was  then  the  poli- 
ticians' campaign,  whose  slogan  was,  "On  to  Rich- 
mond." 

Had  Burnside's  advice,  and  that  of  others  of  like 
experience  and  military  judgment,  been  heeded,  the 
country  would  doubtless  have  escaped  the  defeat  at 
Bull  Run  and  the  demoralization  that  followed,  and 
possibly  the  war  might  have  been  sooner  ended. 

His  conduct  at  Bull  Run  was  conspicuously  cool, 
gallant  and  brave,  handling  the  troops  under  his 
command  w^th  a  skill  which  attracted  the  favorable 
notice  of  the  country,  and  commanded  the  confidence 
of  President  Lincoln  and  his  oiticial  advisers,  all  of 
which  resulted  in  his  promotion  on  August  6,  1861, 
to  the  rank  of  Brigadier-General  of  Volunteers. 

He  was  ordered  to  report  to  General  McClellan, 
who  had  practically  succeeded  General  Scott  as 
Commanding  General,  and  who  placed  him  in  charge 


14 


THE  MILITARY  SI5RV1CE.S  OF 


of  the  iiew  troops  as  they  arrived  in  Washington, 
with  orders  to  attend  to  their  drill  and  discipline, 
preparatory  to  their  merger  into  the  brigades  and 
divisions  then  being  organized  in  Washington  under 
the  name  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

This  duty  was  an  interesting  service,  but  soon  be- 
came irksome  to  General  Burnside,  as  his  mind 
grappled  with  the  i)roblems  in  the  larger  field  of 
military  activities,  stimulated,  doubtless,  by  a  de- 
sire to  do  something  to  dispel  the  gloomy  forebod- 
ings that  prevailed  in  the  eastern  section  of  the 
country,  w^here  only  defeats  had  thus  far  met  the 
efforts  of  our  armies,  and  which  were  giving  en- 
couragement to  copperheads  and  other  unfriendly 
critics  of  the  Government's  endeavors  to  suppress 
what  in  those  days  was  called  treason  and  rebellion. 

Early  in  October  of  1861,  while  chatting  with 
General  McClellan,  a  turn  in  the  conversation  af- 
forded General  Burnside  an  opportunity  to  suggest 
a  plan  for  raising  a  coast  division  to  which  he  had 
been  giving  considerable  thought. 

After  giving  a  somewhat  detailed  statement  of 
his  plan,  General  McClellan  asked  him  to  put  it  in 


MAJOIl-GENEKAL   AMBROSE   EVERETT  LiURNSlDE.  15 

writing  as  soon  as  possible,  which  he  did,  presenting 
it  the  next  day.  McClellan  indorsed  it  with  his 
approval,  and  forwarded  it  at  once  to  the  Secretary 
of  War,  by  whom  it  was  speedily  approved.  The 
general  details  of  the  plan,  to  use  the  words  of 
Burnside,  were: 

"To  organize  a  division  of  from  twelve  to  fifteen 
thousand  men,  and  to  fit  out  a  fieet  of  light  draft 
steamers,  sailing  vessels  and  barges,  large  enough  to 
transport  the  division,  its  armament  and  supplies, 
so  that  it  could  be  rapidly  thrown  from  point  to 
point  on  the  coast  witli  a  view  to  establishing  lodg- 
ments on  the  Soutliern  coast,  landing  troops  and 
penetrating  into  the  interior,  thereby  threatening 
the  lines  of  the  enemy's  transportation  in  the  rear 
of  the  main  army  of  the  enemy  then  concentrating 
in  Virginia,  and  holding  possession  of  the  inland 
waters  on  the  Atlantic  coast." 

Upon  the  approval  of  his  plan  Burnside  was  or- 
dered to  proceed  at  once  to  New  York  and  fit  out  a 
fleet  for  the  expedition  as  planned.  On  the  23d  of 
October,  1861,  his  headquarters  were  established  at 
Annapolis,  Maryland,  for  the  concentration  of  the 
division  and  for  its  drill  and  discipline.   It  was  very 


16 


THE   MILITARY   SERVICES  OF 


difficult  to  secure  the  uecessaiy  vessels  of  suitable 
light  draft  for  the  expedition,  the  supply  having 
been  nearly  exhausted  by  requisitions  of  the  Gov- 
ernment for  other  purposes,  so  that  it  was  not  until 
December  12  that  General  Burnside  telegraphed 
General  McOlellan  that  a  sufficient  amount  of  trans- 
portation and  armament  had  been  secured  for  the 
expedition. 

It  was  a  nondescript  aggregation  of  crafts  im- 
provised for  this  service,  and  had  it  not  been  for 
its  martial  mission  it  might  have  served  as  a  spec- 
tacular burlesque  at  sea. 

Forty-six  transports  were  employed,  eleven  of 
which  were  steamers.  There  were  also  nine  armed 
propellers  to  act  as  gunboats,  and  five  North  River 
barges  armed  as  floating  batteries,  carrying  alto- 
gether forty-seven  guns,  mostly  of  small  calibre. 
Those  formed  the  army  division  and  were  under  the 
command  of  Commander  Samuel  F.  Hazard.  A 
naval  squadron  composed  of  twent}^  vessels,  carrying 
fifty-five  heavy  guns,  was  commanded  by  Commodore 
Goldsborough.  The  land  forces  were  divided  into 
three  brigades  under  the  command  of  Brigadier- 


DANIEL  R.  BALLOU 
Taken  about  the  time  of  the  war 


major-genp:kal  Ambrose  everett  burn  side.  17 


Generals  Foster^  Reno  and  I'arke,  personal  friends 
of  Biirnside. 

On  the  night  of  the  11th  of  January,  1862,  the 
fleet  set  sail  from  Fortress  Monroe  under  sealed 
orders,  to  be  opened  six  miles  out  at  sea. 

Notwithstanding  the  public  clamor  of  distrust  and 
severe  criticisms  touching  the  seaworthiness  of  the 
vessels  composing  the  fleet,  together  with  predictions 
of  disaster  and  failure,  General  Burnside,  although 
knowing  the  weakness  of  the  vessels,  deemed  it 
necessary  for  the  cause  of  his  country  to  prosecute 
the  enterprise  even  if  some  lives  should  be  lost  by 
wrecks.  In  order  that  the  public  might  be  assured 
of  his  own  faith  in  the  capacity  of  the  vessels  for 
the  required  service,  which  were  the  best  that  could 
be  procured  at  this  time,  and  that  he  himself  might 
not  enjoy  any  superior  protection  over  that  of  any 
of  his  men,  he  selected  the  smallest  vessel  of  the 
fleet,  a  little  propeller  called  the  "Picket,"  for  his 
headquarters, — a  boat  which  would  be  less  able  to 
cope  with  a  storm  at  sea  than  any  of  the  other  and 
larger  crafts, — thus  exhibiting  that  unselfish,  self- 
sacrificing  spirit  that  characterized  his  entire  mili- 


18 


THE   MILITARY   SERVICES  OF 


tary  career.  The  weather  was  somewhat  threatening 
as  the  fleet  put  to  sea,  yet  not  sufficiently  so  as  to 
cause  alarm;  but  on  the  12th  of  January  a  terrific 
storm  burst  upon  the  devoted  fleet,  lashing  the 
waters  into  a  fury  of  raging  billows  that  pounded 
and  broke  over  the  vessels,  which  vainly  endeavored 
to  breast  their  overwhelming  blows  as  they  staggered 
and  reeled  amid  the  frightful  warring  of  the  ele- 
ments. 

On  board  the  little  headquarters  boat,  "Picket," 
tossed  about  as  a  cockle-shell,  now  engulfed  by  the 
tempestuous  sea,  strained  and  quivering  to  the 
uttermost  as  it  rose  on  the  crests  of  the  furious 
waves,  was  seen  the  stalwart  and  knightly  form  of 
General  Burnside,  grasping  the  rigging  of  the  little 
propeller  and  peering  anxiously  through  the  mists 
and  drenching  spray,  watching  the  vessels  of  his 
fleet  struggling  in  the  teeth  of  the  frightful  gale. 
He  stood  like  a  Viking  on  the  deck  of  his  little 
steamer,  hailing  each  passing  vessel,  inquiring  after 
the  welfare  of  the  men,  and  speaking  words  of  en- 
couragement and  cheer. 

Arriving  oil  Hatteras,  the  vessels  sought  entrance 


MAJOR-GENERAL  AMBROSE  EVERETT  BURNSIDE.  19 

to  Pamlico  Sound,  those  of  light  draft  working  their 
way  over  the  bar  into  the  inlet  or  into  the  calmer 
waters  beyond,  while  those  that  turned  out  to  be  of 
too  great  draft  headed  off  shore  or  sought  the  lee 
of  the  cape  for  greater  safety. 

For  two  weeks  the  storm  raged,  imperiling  the 
vessels  that  were  drifting  storm-tossed  outside  the 
bar,  together  with  their  precious  freights  of  human 
life  and  of  horses,  munitions  and  supplies. 

On  the  25th  of  January  the  storm  broke,  and  the 
vessels  held  so  long  outside  the  bar  had  found  their 
way  into  the  inlet,  with  the  exception  of  three,  which 
succumbed  to  the  storm  and  went  down,  but  without 
loss  of  human  life. 

On  the  26th  an  attempt  was  made  to  bring  the 
vessels  remaining  in  the  inlet  into  the  sound,  but 
very  many  of  them  were  unable,  by  reason  of  their 
eight  feet  draft,  to  pass  over  the  "swash,"  so-called, 
that  separates  the  inlet  from  the  sound,  and  upon 
which  there  was  but  six  feet  of  water.  A  breach, 
therefore,  had  to  be  made  for  their  passage,  which 
consumed  several  days,  so  that  it  was  not  until 
February  4  that  the  entire  fleet  came  to  anchor  in 


20 


THE  MILITARY  SERVICES  OF 


the  sound,  and  orders  were  given  for  the  movement 
on  Roanoke  Island. 

General  Burnside  had  scarcely  slept  night  or  day 
during  the  fearful  experiences  of  that  two  weeks  of 
threatened  disaster,  devoting  his  undivided  attention 
and  energy  to  the  management  of  the  great  fleet. 
When  a  signal  of  distress  was  sounded  or  displayed 
during  the  night  or  day,  he  was  the  first  man  olf  to 
render  assistance,  performing  the  duties  of  life- 
saver,  of  navigator,  pilot  and  harbor-master,  besides 
acting  both  as  general  and  admiral,  being  loyally  as- 
sisted by  his  subordinates  and  the  officers  of  the 
navy.  Happilj^,  owing  to  his  skilful  management 
and  untiring  vigilance,  but  two  lives  were  lost. 

No  attempt  will  be  made  to  describe  the  move- 
ments of  the  army  and  naval  forces  which  resulted 
in  the  brilliant  victories  of  Roanoke  Island  of  Feb- 
ruary 8,  Newbern  of  March  14,  and  of  Fort  Macon 
of  April  26,  1802,  won  under  the  immediate  direction 
of  General  Burnside,  personally  present  in  the  field. 

The  A'alue  of  these  victories  was  inestimable.  The 
defeat  of  Big  Bethel,  the  disaster  at  Bull  Run,  and 
the  tragedy  of  Ball's  Blutf,  together  with  an  absence 


MAJOR-GENERAL  AMBROSE  EVERETT  BURNSIDE.  21 

of  military  success  iu  the  eastern  section  of  the 
country,  had  caused  gloomy  forebodings  and  dis- 
couragement among  the  friends  of  the  Union,  and 
on  the  other  hand,  had  excited  disloyal  criticism 
among  the  copperhead  element;  but  now  confidence 
was  restored,  and  there  was  great  rejoicing  and  re- 
newal of  courage  among  the  loyal  element  of  the 
North.  The  story  of  the  expedition,  together  with 
the  results  of  the  campaign,  have  been  presented 
somewhat  in  detail  because  they  afford  a  true  in- 
sight into  the  high  character  of  Burnside  as  a  soldier 
and  man,  exhibiting,  as  he  did,  eminent  ability  as 
a  strategist,  conscientious,  prudent  and  successful 
leadership,  conspicuous  courage  under  fire,  together 
with  a  modest  and  unassuming  demeanor  in  the 
midst  of  the  plaudits  of  his  countrymen. 

In  appreciation  of  the  victories  of  Roanoke  Island 
and  Newbern,  President  Lincoln  nominated  him  a 
Major-General  of  Volunteers,  and  the  Senate 
promptly,  on  March  18,  1862,  confirmed  the  appoint- 
ment. Upon  the  recei})t  of  the  news  at  Washington 
of  the  victory  at  Newbern,  Secretary  Stanton,  in 
a  dispatch,  conveyed,  in  behalf  of  the  President,  the 


22 


THE   MILITARY   SERVICES  OF 


Department  and  the  whole  nation,  a  tender  of 
thanks  for  distinguished  services  rendered  by  Gen- 
eral Burnside  and  the  officers  and  men  under  his 
command. 

The  General  Assembly  of  Rhode  Island  voted 
General  Burnside  a  sword,  together  with  its  thanks. 
The  Legislatures  of  Massachusetts  and  Ohio,  then 
in  session,  also  passed  congratulatory  resolutions. 

During  the  latter  part  of  June,  1802,  Burnside 
was  summoned  to  a  conference  with  General  Mc- 
Clellan  at  Fortress  Monroe,  and  promptly  answered 
the  call  with  his  presence.  Returning  to  Newbern, 
he  held  himself  in  readiness  to  respond  to  further 
orders.  The  retreat  of  McClellan  to  Harrison's 
Landing  in  July  suspended,  for  the  time  being, 
further  contemplated  military  operations  in  North 
Carolina,  namely,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Raleigh  in 
case  of  McClellan's  success  on  the  Peninsula,  a  part 
of  Burnside's  original  plan,  with  the  purpose  of 
cutting  off  Lee's  retreat  into  the  Gulf  States,  his 
chief  source  of  supplies. 

Burnside,  early  in  July,  after  McClellan  retreated 
to  Harrison's  Landing,  was  recalled  from  North 


MA.7  0R-(?ENERAL  AMBROSE  EVERETT  BURNSIDE.  23 

Carolina  with  two  of  his  division s,  primarily  to  re- 
inforce the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  He  embarked 
his  divisions,  which,  on  reaching  Fortress  Monroe, 
were  there  detained  under  special  orders  from 
Washington  until  about  the  2d  of  August,  when 
they  were  ordered  to  proceed  to  Acquia  Creek,  where 
they  arrived  on  the  4th  and  5th.  General  Burnside, 
on  arriving  with  his  command  at  Fortress  Monroe, 
met  President  Lincoln,  with  whom  he  had  a  con- 
ference. In  the  meanwhile  he  visited  Washington, 
where,  at  the  conclusion  of  a  long  intervieAv  with 
President  Lincoln,  General  Halleck  and  Secretary 
of  War  Stanton,  the  President  offered  him  the  com- 
mand of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  which  he 
courteously  and  peremptorily  declined.  In  the  mean- 
time, after  his  command  had  reached  Acquia  Creek, 
it  was  reorganized  as  the  Ninth  Corps,  with  which, 
reinforced  by  General  Isaac  Stevens'  division,  he 
was  ordered  to  proceed  to  the  Rappahannock  to  co- 
operate with  the  Army  of  Virginia  under  General 
Pope,  with  headquarters  at  Fredericksburg.  General 
McClellan,  under  orders,  withdrew  from  the  posi- 
tion occupied  by  liim  on  August  20,  and  commenced 


24 


THE   MILITARY  SERVICES  OF 


to  embark  his  troops,  a  large  detachment  of  which 
disembarked  at  Acquia  Creek,  to  which  point  he  was 
ordered  to  hasten,  arriving  there  on  the  morning  of 
the  24th  in  tlie  expectation,  as  he  says,  of  advancing 
to  the  relief  of  Burnside  and  General  Pope,  who 
were  reported  hard-pressed  by  the  Confederates. 
Soon  after  he  was  ordered  to  proceed  to  Alexandria, 
arriving  there  on  AugUvSt  26,  his  army  having  been 
concentrated  in  that  neighborhood.  Here  he  was 
soon  practically  deposed.  General  Halleck  having 
been  appointed  to  succeed  him  in  the  chief  com- 
mand. 

On  taking  command  at  Fredericksburg,  Burnside 
was  confronted  by  a  question  of  rank, — being  the  su- 
])erior  of  General  Pope, — but  in  the  same  generous 
and  loyal  spirit  he  never  failed  during  his  military 
career  to  display,  when  occasion  arose,  he  cheerfully 
and  without  question  assumed  the  subordinate 
place.  General  Burnside  furnished  General  Pope 
during  the  final  days  of  his  disastrous  campaign  in 
Virginia,  his  uncpialified  loyal  support,  which  elic- 
ited his  warmest  expressions  of  gratitude  and  ap- 
preciation. 


MA.TOR-GENERAI.  AMBROSE  EVERETT  BURNSIDB.  25 


The  timely  arrival  at  Fredericksburg  of  the  Ninth 
Corps,  reinforced  by  Stevens'  division,  and  the 
prompt  assistance  rendered  by  Burnside,  doubtless 
prevented  the  turning*  of  Pope's  left  flank,  which, 
had  the  Confederates  succeeded  in  doing,  would 
most  likely  have  resulted  in  cutting  otf  his  army 
from  Washington. 

The  Confederate  forces  confronting  Pope,  rein- 
forced by  Lee's  veterans,  fresh  from  their  successes 
on  the  Peninsula,  were  aggressively  forcing  the  fight- 
ing, which  resulted  in  his  being  thrown  back  upon 
the  defenses  of  Washington.  The  enemy  were  at  the 
same  time  pressing  vigorously  upon  Burnside,  when 
he  was  ordered  to  withdraw  his  troops  from  Fred- 
ericksburg and  bring  them  to  the  Capital.  He 
promptly  burned  all  the  bridges  leading  to  the  town, 
a  machine-shop  and  the  government  buildings. 
Through  cool  judgment  and  prompt  action,  together 
with  sleepless  vigilance  and  untiring  personal  ex- 
ertion, he  brought,  under  cover  of  the  night,  his  col- 
umn, his  artillery  and  wagon  train  over  almost  im- 
passable roads  safely  to  Acquia  Creek.  Here,  under 
the  protection  of  the  gunboats  and  his  own  artillery, 


26 


THE   MILITARY   SERVICES  OF 


ihe  eijeiri^^  haiigiiig  close  on  his  rear,  he  embarked 
his  trooi)s  aod  munitions,  remaining  behind  and  fir- 
ing the  government  buildings,  after  which  he  started 
for  Washington. 

Arriving  at  the  Capital,  he  found  the  high  officials, 
as  well  as  the  inhabitants,  in  a  perturbed  state,  from 
fear  of  the  capture  of  the  city  or  a  possible  invasion 
of  the  North. 

The  fateful  days  of  the  summer  and  fall  of  1862 
were  quite  the  gloomiest  of  any  period  of  the  gre^t 
Avar.  The  failure  of  the  Peninsular  ('ainpaign  and 
tJie  defeat  at  the  second  Bull  Run  battle  well-nigh 
overwhelmed  the  loyal  hearts  of  the  country  with 
discouragement  and  apprehension,  and  now,  on  the 
closing  days  of  the  long  summer  period  of  failure 
and  disaster,  as  the  wailing  of  bereaved  kindred  as- 
cended from  the  hearthstones  of  thousands  of  homes, 
rendered  desolate  by  battle-slain  fathers,  sons  and 
lovers,  the  specter  of  dreadful  war  rose  up  in  their 
distracted  visions,  stalking  in  the  peaceful  valleys 
and  v.  ithin  the  gates  of  the  great  cities  of  the  North- 
land. 

There  was  good  cause  for  fear,  as  Lee's  ragged 


MAJOR-Gf:NERAL  AMBROSE  EVERETT  BURNSIDE.  27 

and  hungry  veterans,  their  breasts  swelling  with 
martial  ardor,  incited  by  the  recent  successes  of 
their  arms,  were  hovering  about  the  gates  of  the 
Capital,  eager  and  impatient  to  be  led  to  its  assault, 
or,  what  was  more  their  desire,  to  the  fertile  valleys 
of  the  Northland,  where  they  might  levy  tribute  on 
their  overflowing  granaries,  their  herds  and  flocks, 
and  the  storehouses  of  rich  merchandise  that 
abounded  in  the  great  cities,  wherewith  to  feast 
their  famished  bodies  and  clothe  their  nakedness. 

Facing  these  impending  dangers,  the  President 
again  turned  to  Burnside,  and  with  the  approval  of 
his  ofiicial  advisers,  tendered  him  the  command  of 
the  armies  concentrated  in  and  about  Washington, 
as  the  most  available  general  officer  to  marshal  the 
forces  and  lead  them  successfully  against  the  in- 
vader. 

The  tender  of  this  high  command  was  most  entic- 
ing, being  one  that  would  have  turned  the  head  of  a 
vain,  self-seeking  nature.  But  however  alluring  the 
opportunity  it  afforded  General  Burnside  to  tempt 
fate  for  the  winning  of  fame  in  a  great  military 
struggle,  he  again  manifested  the  same  self-abjura- 


28 


THE   MILITARY  SERVICES  OF 


tion  and  exalted  patriotism  as  on  the  occasion  of  the 
former  tender  of  the  command  of  the  Army  of  the 
I'otomac.  He  saw  with  a  clear  vision  that  General 
McClellan,  with  his  popular  hold  upon  the  veterans 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  was  the  conunander  in 
this  emergency  best  qualified  to  successfully  bring 
order  out  of  existing  confusion,  arouse  the  rank  and 
tile  of  the  various  military  organizations  to  enthusi- 
astic action  under  his  leadershij),  for  repelling  the 
invading  foe.  Burnside  hesitated  not  a  moment  in 
refusing  the  honor,  and,  at  the  same  time,  earnestly 
urged  the  President  to  reinstate  McClellan  in  the 
command. 

The  situation  was  too  grave  and  urgent  for  fur- 
ther delay,  and  the  President  summoneil  McClellan 
to  take  command  of  "all  the  troops  for  the  defense 
of  the  Capital.''  General  Lee,  having  meanwhile 
withdrawn  his  army  from  before  Washington,  was 
now  marching  into  Maryland.  McClellan  promptly 
detailed  sufficient  garrisons  for  the  occupation  of 
the  several  forts  around  Washington,  and  quickly 
organized  an  army  and  started  for  the  enemy,  five 
days  after  the  defeat  of  General  Pope  at  Second 


MAJOR-GENERAL  AMBROSE  EVERETT  BURNSIDE. 


29 


Bull  Kuii.  Burnside  was  placed  in  the  advance  in 
command  of  the  right  wing,  formed  of  the  First 
Corps  under  General  Hooker,  General  Cox's  Kana- 
Tvha  Division  and  the  ]S^inth  Corps  under  General 
Reno.  On  September  13  the  advance  guard  of  Burn- 
side's  column  came  in  contact  with  the  enemy,  with 
whom  there  was  skirmishing.  Later  in  the  day 
Burnside's  advance  guard  entered  Frederick,  Mary- 
land, just  as  Wade  Hampton's  cavalry.  Lee's  rear 
guard,  were  leaving  at  the  other  end  of  the  street. 

The  Union  troops  were  received  with  the  most  pa- 
triotic expressions  of  loyalt}^  and  delight.  Burn- 
side,  arriving  later  in  the  evening,  was  welcomed 
with  the  wildest  demonstration  of  joy,  and  McClel- 
lan,  arriving  the  next  morning,  was  accorded  a  re- 
ception no  less  ardent  and  enthusiastic. 

On  the  morning  of  September  14  Burnside  started 
from  Middleton  toward  South  Mountain,  about 
three  miles  distant,  to  meet  the  enemy.  Pleasanton, 
moving  forward  from  Middleton  at  six  o'clock,  met 
with  determined  resistance  from  a  large  force  of  the 
enemy.  The  battle  opened  with  an  artillery  duel  be- 
tween batteries  at  long  range.   The  infantry  coming 


30 


THE  MILITARY   SERVICES  OP 


up  soon  after,  opened  fire,  which  the  Confederates 
briskly  returned,  as  they  retreated  slowly  up  the 
mountain  side,  being  hard  pressed  by  Cox's  division, 
which  finally  gained  the  crest,  where  it  halted  to 
await  the  arrival  of  the  Ninth  Corps.  Wilcox's  di- 
vision was  the  first  to  arrive,  reporting  to  Cox,  the 
senior  officer,  at  about  two  o'clock.  McClellan, 
Burnside  and  Reno  came  soon  after  Wilcox's  divi- 
sion, to  a  knoll  in  the  valley  which  had  been  Pleas- 
anton's  position,  and  from  this  point,  a  central  one 
in  the  midst  of  curving  hills,  issued  their  orders. 
McClellan  established  his  headquarters  at  this  point, 
where  he  remained  in  apparently  most  friendly  co- 
operation with  Burnside,  as  commander  of  the  right 
wing,  until  the  close  of  the  engagement. 

The  battle  raged  fiercely  until  the  dusk  of  evening, 
when  General  Reno  fell,  greatly  lamented  by  the  en- 
tire army.  During  the  night  the  Confederates  with- 
drew and  retreated  down  the  mountain,  leaving  the 
battlefield  in  possession  of  Burnside's  command. 
The  troops  engaged  at  the  summit,  bivouacked  for 
the  night  on  the  battlefield  where  the  severest  fight- 
ing took  place,  resting  on  their  arms. 


MAJOR-GENERAL  AMBROSE  EVERETT  BURNSIDE.  31 

General  McClellan,  in  his  dispatch,  sent  off  that 
night  to  the  President,  characterized  the  result  of 
the  battle  as  ^^a  brilliant  victory." 

During  the  morning  hours  of  the  15th  orders  were 
given  for  an  advance  of  the  army  on  the  roads  lead- 
ing to  Sharpsburg.  In  consequence  of  unavoidable 
delays,  Burnside's  column  did  not  get  a  clear  way 
to  move  until  past  noon,  doubtless  in  part  caused 
by  the  change  in  his  position  to  the  left  of  the  line. 

In  the  late  afternoon  of  the  16th  McClellan  came 
in  contact  with  the  enemy  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Antietam  Creek. 

General  Lee,  having  taken  advantage  of  the  past 
two  days,  had  intrenched  himself  in  a  strong  posi- 
tion of  his  own  choosing,  on  the  westerly  side  of  the 
creek,  in  front  of  Sharpsburg. 

Late  in  the  afternoon,  through  McClellan's  dispo- 
sition of  his  forces,  Burnside  found  himself  with  a 
serious  task  confronting  him,  in  command  of  only 
the  Ninth  Corps  and  the  Kanawha  Division  under 
General  Isaac  B.  Cox,  and  occupying  the  extreme 
left  of  the  line,  with  his  troops  disposed  along  the 
easterly  side  of  Antietam  Creek. 


32 


THE   MILITARY   SERVICES  OF 


Under  tlie  instiuctioMS  given  Burnside  on  the 
evening  of  tlie  Kith,  he  was  to  hold  liis  comiuaiid  in 
readiness  to  advance,  wlien  ordered  on  the  next 
morning,  and  cany  the  bridge  over  Antietam  Creek, 
since  known  as  "Bnrnside  Bridge,'-  together  with 
the  heights  beyond,  and,  ha\  iug  gained  their  crest, 
to  press  the  attack  on  the  Confederate  right  wing, 
capture  Sharpsburg  and  cnt  oti  the  retreat  of  the 
enemy.  A  s  tliis  woukl  be  a  peri  Ions  movement,  as 
well  as  a  difficult  one  to  accomplish,  he  called  to- 
gether his  commanding  oliicers  during  that  evening, 
and  carefnlly  instructed  them  in  the  detail  neces- 
sary for  its  execution. 

At  ten  o'clock  the  next  morning  Burnside  received 
the  order  of  McClellan  to  carry  the  bridge,  as  di- 
rected the  night  before.  This  order  was  at  once  car- 
ried into  etfect.  General  Cox,  who  had  been  stand- 
ing by  Burnside  all  the  morning,  watching  the  tight, 
started  at  once  to  attend  to  the  details  of  which  he 
had  charge  for  carrying  the  order  into  eti'ect,  and 
without  delay  caused  the  i loops  to  advance  as  di- 
rected. It  was  an  appalling  task  to  axvi  j  the  bridge 
and  heights  beyond.    The  lieights  and  crest  bristled 


MAJOR-GENERAL  AMBROSE  EVERETT  BURNSIDE.  33 


with  rifle-pits  and  stone  walls,  behind  which  were 
posted  the  enemy's  artillery,  infantry  and  shai'p- 
shooters,  from  which  protection  a  destructive  en- 
filading fire  was  directed  against  the  Union  columns 
in  their  struggle  to  carry  the  bridge  and  heights. 
For  three  mortal  hours  the  gallant  veterans  of  Burn- 
side's  command  struggled  back  and  forth  amid  a 
fierce  and  deadly  tempest  of  shrapnel,  of  flying  rifle 
bullets  and  exploding  shells,  in  heroic  assaults  at 
the  bridge,  the  fords  of  the  Creek  and  the  well-nigh 
impregnable  heights  beyond,  and  when  at  length 
they  succeeded  in  carrying  the  bridge  and  gaining  a 
foothold  under  the  crest,  the  ground  over  which  they 
fought  their  way  was  drenched  and  crimsoned  with 
blood,  shed  as  a  full-measure  offering,  even  to  over- 
flowing, to  their  country's  cause. 

Beneath  the  crest  of  the  embattled  heights  the  as- 
saulting troops  were  compelled  to  halt  and  make 
necessary  preparations  for  tlieir  further  advance. 
It  was  now  one  o'clock,  three  hours  having  been  con- 
sumed in  gaining  their  position.  McClellan,  hear- 
ing of  the  halt,  dispatched  a  succession  of  impera- 
tive orders,  impatient  in  tone,  for  a  forward  move- 


34 


THE  MILITARY  SERVICES  OF 


ment,  which  was  then  physically  impossible.  Stur- 
gis's  Division  was  so  exhausted  that  reserves  had 
to  be  ordered  up  and  placed  in  its  front.  Some  of 
the  command  had  exhausted  their  ammunition. 
Hurry  orders  were  sent  out  for  troops  to  replace 
Sturgis's  Division  and  for  the  ammunition  train  to 
cross  the  bridge.  After  most  strenuous  exertions,  in 
which  Burnside  lent  his  personal  assistance,  the 
preparations  were  completed_,  and  at  three  o'clock 
the  troops  again  advanced,  carrying  the  crest  and 
driving  the  Confederates  to  the  vicinity  of  Sharps- 
burg.    McClellan  says,  in  his  "Own  Story": 

"The  advance  was  then  gallantly  resumed,  the  en- 
emy was  driven  back  from  the  guns,  the  heights 
handsomely  carried  and  a  portion  of  the  troops 
reached  Sharpsburg." 

It  was  now  nearly  dark  and  the  enemy  was  then 
reinforced  by  the  troops  of  A.  P.  Hill,  who  had  just 
arrived  from  Harper's  Ferry,  which  made  a  vigorous 
attack  on  Burnside's  left  flank,  forcing  his  lines 
back  to  the  lower  line  of  the  hills  near  the  bridge. 
As  his  lines  were  driven  back  the  situation  became 
extremely  critical.    Burnside,  realizing  the  danger 


MAJOR-GENERAL  AMBROSE  E\^RETT  BURXSIDE.  35' 


of  being  forced  back  across  the  bridge,  dispatched 
an  aide  to  McClellan  with  the  message: 

*'I  want  troops  and  guns.  If  you  do  not  send  them 
I  cannot  hold  my  position  for  half  an  hour." 

"Tell  General  Burnside,"  said  McClellan,  .  .  . 
•'he  must  hold  his  ground  till  dark,  at  any  cost.  I 
will  send  him  a  battery ;  I  cannot  do  more.''  As  the 
aide  was  riding  away  he  called  him  back.  ''Tell  him 
also,  that  if  he  cannot  hold  his  ground,  then  the 
bridge  to  the  last  man;  always  the  bridge;  if  the 
bridge  is  lost,  all  will  be  lost." 

The  battle  ceased  as  night  cast  its  sable  wings 
over  the  ghastly  scenes  of  war's  dreadful  carnage, 
calmness  succeeding  the  strain  and  excitement 
evoked  by  the  roar  of  artillery,  the  crash  of  mus- 
ketry, the  battle  cries  and  the  clamor  of  the  charge. 
And  now  the  wearied  and  exhausted  heroes  of  Burn- 
side's  command  lay  down  upon  the  ground  near  the 
bridge  which  they  had  wrested  from  the  enemy  in  a 
titanic  struggle,  to  rest  on  their  arms. 

Late  in  the  evening  of  the  day  of  the  battle  Gen- 
eral Burnside  called  on  General  McClellan  at  his 
headquarters,  and  in  conversation  concerning  the 


36 


THE  MILITARY  SERVICES  OF 


events  of  the  day  suggested  the  advisability  of  re- 
suming the  battle  on  the  following  morning,  "ofifer- 
ing  to  lead  an  advance  against  the  enemy,  provided 
MoClellan  would  give  him  five  thousand  fresh  troops 
to  pass  ill  advance  of  his  Ninth  Corps."  General 
McOlellan  declined  to  take  the  responsibility  of  re- 
newing the  engagement,  and  accordingly  General 
Lee,  undisturbed  b}^  McClellan's  veteran  army, 
which  had  expectantly  waited  to  be  again  led  to  the 
attack,  leisurely  transported  across  the  Potomac  his 
munitions  and  su}>})lies,  together  with  the  booty  cap- 
tured at  Harper's  Ferry  and  in  Maryland,  and  on. 
the  19th  of  Heptember  (]uietly  crossed  the  river  with 
his  troops  into  Virginia,  ])assing  by  easy  stages  into 
tlie  Shenandoah  Valley,  where  liis  veterans  sat  down 
and  enjoyed  the  fruits  of  their  Maryland  campaign, 
together  with  a  recuperative  rest  from  their  strenu- 
ous service. 

On  October  18  General  Burnside,  under  orders  of 
General  McOlellan,  strangely  delayed,  crossed  the 
Potomac  just  below  Harper's  Ferry  and  marched 


MAJOR-GENERAL  AMBROSE  EVERETT  BURNSIDE.  37" 


along  the  easterly  base  of  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains, 
T^ith  the  purpose  of  preventing  Lee  from  escaping 
through  any  of  the  passes;  but  meanwhile  the  Con- 
federate Army  had  slipped  through  Thoroughfare 
Gap,  its  right  wing  in  camp  at  Culpepper  Court 
House,  with  its  left  resting  in  the  valley. 

A\Tiat  happened  on  the  night  of  November  7,  1862, 
is  familiar  history.  It  was  a  dramatic  incident  in 
a  dismal  setting.  It  was  the  appearance  at  the  tent 
of  General  Burnside  in  a  blinding  snowstorm,  of 
General  Buckingham,  bearing  as  the  special  confi- 
dential messenger  of  President  Lincoln,  an  order  re- 
lieving General  McClellan  from  the  command  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  with  instructions  to  report  at 
Trenton,  New  Jersey,  for  further  orders,  accom- 
panied by  an  order .  placing  General  Burnside  in 
command,  to  which  he  reluctantly  yielded  obedience, 
solely  because  it  came  as  an  order;  and  then  the  cold 
and  cheerless  night  ride  of  Generals  Buckingham 
and  Burnside  through  the  winter's  blizzard  to  the 
headquarters  of  McClellan,  twenty  miles  away,  on 


38      MAJOR-GENERAL  AMBROSE  EVERETT  BURNSIDE. 


the  delicate  mission  of  notifying  him  that  he  was. 
relieved,  and  of  the  succession  of  Burnside  to  the 
command. 


This  story  is  continued  in  the  next  paper  (Series  7,  No.  9)  of 
these  Publications. 


Date  Due 







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Form  335— 40M— 6-39— S 


I_,  - 

973.781    R475?    7th  ser.     no. 1-10 

303448 


